Note: Although the Huey spent many years with the RAAF, the vast majority of machines currently fly with Army Aviation, hence the UH-1 is featured in the Army section.

No 9 Squadron, under Sqn Ldr R A Scott, received the first aircraft on October 29 1962. These aircraft were serialled A2-384 to A2-391 (derived from Bell constructor's numbers 384 to 391) and had been allotted US Army serials 62-4606 to 62-4613. The Iroquois began exercising in troop support for the Army, and this was to become a major role for No 9 Squadron.

In December 1962 a second batch of eight UH-1Bs were ordered and delivered twelve months later as A2-714 to A2-721 (c/n 714 to 721, ex 63-9784 to 639791). In May 1964 No 5 Squadron was formed at Fairbairn with four aircraft and deployed to Malaysia to provide support during the confrontation period with Indonesia. A third batch delivered in late 1964, A2-1018 to A2-1025 (c/n 1018/1035, 63-13586/63-13593), incorporated the Lycoming 1100shp T53-L-11 engine replacing the previous T53-L-9.

In April 1966, No 5 Squadron reformed at Fairbairn, and No 9 Squadron then deployed with the third batch of aircraft to Vietnam. Arriving at Vung Tau in June, 9 Squadron began immediate operations in support of Australian ground forces. Army roles included airlift and resupply, aeromedical "dustoff" evacuation and insertion and extraction of SAS troops. Two of an enlarged version of the Iroquois, the UH-1D, were delivered over 1966-67 to Vung Tau as replacements. 65-10041 (c/n 5085) became A2-041 (later changed to A2-085). Six months later, in May 1967, 66-1166 (c/n 5649) was received by 9 Squadron and although A2-166 was to be allocated, it became A2-649. It appears that there had been some confusion on the last three of the US military serials.

The larger cabin of the "Delta" enabled carriage of an additional four passengers. A further six were delivered to 5 Squadron (A2-505 to A2-510 c/n 9505 to 9510), but the UH-1D was soon superseded in production by the UH-1H, which had the same enlarged fuselage powered by the 1300shp T53-L-13. RAAF Deltas were later retrofitted to this standard. Sixteen UH-1Hs were ordered to replace the UH-1B's in 9 Squadron and were delivered direct from the US Army to Vung Tau. A2-376 to A2-383 (c/n 9376/9383, ex 67-17178/ 67-17185) were received in February 1968, followed in July by A2-766 to -773 (c/n 9766/9773, 67-17568/67-17575). This enabled the withdrawal of the Bravos from Vietnam to Australia, where these aircraft were able to reinforce SAR flights at Darwin, Williamtown, Pearce and Butterworth, and the type was also flown by the Aircraft Research and Development Unit. As 5 Squadron was the training unit for 9 Squadron, the SAR flights and the RAN, in addition to providing Army support throughout Australia, a further seven UH-1Hs were ordered for 1970 delivery: A2-484 to A2-490 (c/n 11772/11718) were ex 69-15484/15490.

During 1969 gunship modifications were carried out on some aircraft by 9 Squadron. These aircraft could be converted from the "Slick" transport configuration to "Bushranger" gunships. Meanwhile 9 Squadron received two more Hotel models: A2-149 (c/n 10149 ex 68-15219) and A2-110 (c/n 11110 68-16451). With the loss on operations in October 1969 of A2-381 and A2-769 (both wrecks were later completely destroyed by SAS demolition teams), two replacements were ordered from the US Army. 69-15415 (c/n 11703) and 69-15435 (c/n 117233 were delivered in July 1970 and serialled A2-703 and -723. With the subsequent loss of A2-768, -767 and -723, two further replacements were received in mid 1971: A2-455 (c/n 12455 70-15845) and A2-915 (c/n 12487 70-15915). No 9 Squadron returned from Vietnam to Amberley in December 1971. Five more UH-1Hs were delivered in 1973 and these later equipped 35 Squadron at Townsville: A2-278/279/295/296 and 310 (c/n 13278/13310).

The RAN has also operated the Iroquois: three UH-1B and four UH-1C models. Serialled N9-881 to N9-883 (c/n 881 to 883, ex US 63-12953 to 63-12955), the first batch were delivered in 1964. A further four UH-1Cs, N9-3101 to N9-3104 (c/n 3101/3104 ex 64-17621/64-17623 and 65-12846) were delivered over 1965-66.

In Australia the RAN Iroquois served with HC723 Squadron at HMAS Albatross on utility, training and search/rescue tasks. After being withdrawn from service in 1987 the surviving aircraft re-entered service due to the withdrawal of the Wessex. The final three ageing UH-1s (N9-887, N9-3101 and N9-3104) were then finally paid off from RAN service on May 31 1989.

A major though little known role for Iroquois detachments has been survey operations. Much work has been carried out over the past quarter century in mapping the remote areas of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. A different peacetime task has been providing support to United Nations peace keeping forces in the Middle East. All-white RAAF UH-1Hs with UN markings served with the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Egypt at Ismalia (from 1976 to 1979) and with the UN Multi-National Force and Observers (MFO) in Sinai (1982-1985).

In December 1984 the Bravos were replaced in service by the Squirrel in the training and SAR roles. The last UH-1B in service was A2-384, flown by No 5 Squadron until March 1985. However, the last RAAF Bravo Flight was on May 21 1985 when A2-1019, earmarked for display at the Australian War Memorial, staged a ceremonial flight over Canberra. Surviving aircraft were stored and offered for disposal in December 1985.

With the loss of the RAAF rotary wing capability, the remaining 25 Iroquois have been transferred to the Army's 171 Squadron and Aviation School at Oakey and 5 Aviation Regiment at Townsville. In August 1991 A2-376, of 171 Squadron, achieved 10,000 flying hours.

Rarely has an aircraft type seen such diverse operation with Australian forces and given such long and sterling service as BELL UH-1.

TECHNICAL DATA
(Bell UH-1H)

DESCRIPTION: Multi-role utility and transport helicopter.

POWER PLANT: 1400shp (derated to 1300) Lycoming T53-L-13 turboshaft.

DIMENSIONS: Diameter of main rotor 14.63m (48ft); length 1277m (41ft 1 lin); height 4.42m (14ft 6in).

WEIGHTS: Empty 2255kg (49371b); loaded 4309kg (9500lb).

PERFORMANCE: Max speed 110 Kts (204km/h); range at low level 275nm (511km) at max weight.

Link to SF RAAF UH-1H:

Credits: By me!